Levant Mine and Beam Engine

Levant Mine and Beam Engine is a National Trust property at Trewellard, Pendeen, near St Just. Its main attraction is that it has the world's only Cornish beam engine still operated by steam on its original site. There is also a visitor centre, a short underground tour, and the South West Coast Path leads to Botallack Mine, via a cliff-top footpath.

The property is on the site of the former Levant Mine, established in 1820 and closed in 1930, where tin and copper ores were raised. The mine reached a depth of about 600 metres. It got the nickname 'mine under the sea', because tunnels were driven up to 2.5 km from the cliffs under the sea. The surviving beam engine was built c. 1840 by Harvey's of Hayle.

In 1919 the engine used to transport men between the different levels of the mine failed, leading to the deaths of thirty-one men.

Since 2006, the area has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape.

 

Address
Trewellard, Penwith, United Kingdom

Established
1820